Ohio, California, New York grade crossings see work

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved construction authorization directing Metro Regional Transit Authority (MRTA) to install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the 12th Street NW grade crossing located in the city of Canton, Stark County.

Funding for the project will be shared between PUCO and city of Canton. Funding for the improvements will come from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and will not exceed $5,000.

In California, the Castro Street grade crossing in Mountain View will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic June 20 until June 23. Caltrain will perform maintenance work on the railroad tracks, including adding new ballast, realigning the tracks and adding new concrete panels to the pedestrian walkways.

Jumping to the East Coast, Hamburg, N.Y., is putting final touches on a project that will see a quiet zone at Rogers and Cloverbank Road go into effect June 24.

In order to put this quiet zone into place, Hamburg had to complete pavement improvements and construct traffic separator systems along the highway approaches to the railroad crossings on Rogers Road and Cloverbank Road.

"I am pleased to announce that, at long last, the Hamburg railway 'quiet zone' project is finally complete, which will be a mean a huge quality of life improvement for local residents and motorists," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). "This 'quiet zone' is an example of a smart use of federal money, because it is a win-win for the community, not only does it make Hamburg a more peaceful, quieter place to live, it increases safety for pedestrians and motorists near the tracks."